Report: Next Xbox will control your TV, cable box through HDMI hookup

Kinect eye-tracking could pause a show when you look away from the screen.

Microsoft's efforts to control all the entertainment in your living room with its set-top box will continue with the next Xbox, according to a new report from the Verge. The story cites "multiple sources familiar with the company's Xbox plans" in reporting that Microsoft's next system will hook up directly to set-top cable or satellite boxes through HDMI, giving the system Google TV-style capabilities to control a live video signal.

According to the report, the new Xbox's TV connection will build on top of the existing IP video apps for the Xbox 360 that Microsoft began rolling out through Xbox Live in 2011, including apps for Comcast, Verizon FiOS, and many pay TV networks and TV shows. While only basic functionality will be available at first, Microsoft will reportedly roll out "extended support" for these partners through the system's "always-on" Internet connection, laying exclusive UI elements over the video coming from the cable box. In addition, the service will reportedly make use of an upgraded Kinect to detect things such as eye movement from multiple viewers at once, even going so far as to pause playback when your head is turned away from the TV.

The Verge's report also suggests that Microsoft is still working on a lower-cost "Xbox TV" device that would focus on these video and streaming applications, and that the company is planning to launch this version of the system early next year. Microsoft journalist Paul Thurrott recently suggested that Microsoft had put those plans on hold in favor of a lower-cost version of the Xbox 360.

The report is intriguing, but it's important not to get ahead of ourselves regarding just what kind of video features the next Xbox will handle. Let's not forget that Microsoft's E3 2011 presentation suggested that features like digital video recording and full integration with pay TV providers would be coming to the Xbox 360. When those video features finally came, they turned out to be DVR-free and a little underwhelming, offering limited live content and only a small selection of the channels and on-demand content available on a standard cable box.

Nintendo introduced some mild TV integration to the Wii U with Nintendo TVii. That service doesn't actually connect directly to a user's cable box, though, and simply uses the GamePad as a modified, Internet-connected program guide and universal IR remote control.

104 Reader Comments

Hey, all the people about to say they won't buy this, but in actuality will when like 4-6 system exclusives are released that cause you to not care anymore since "the worst parts of the system since launch have been largely changed because of massive user backlash": don't buy this system at any point in its lifespan, thanks.

last year microsoft applied for a patent a that uses kinect to determine how many people are watching a particular program and restrict 'protected' content if the # is larger than the limit set by the 'content owner'. ie. if you're watching a movie you bought on your xbox with 10 friends, xbox won't let you watch it b/c you haven't paid enough for permission to watch it. it will give you the option to pay more so you can all watch it http://kotaku.com/5958307/this-kinect-p ... -violation

So what would be the actual point of this..other than mimicking what you already get out of your cable box? I can see maybe if you do not have a cable box with a DVR function, this can be useful. I get lag already from my cable box (IO sucks); I don't want to comprehend what going through an additional layer might yield.

You guys do realize that if it does in fact have eye tracking functionality, stuff like pausing the video would be a feature that can be turned on/off, right?

It wouldn't even be able to function in a lot of scenarios because of poor lighting, glasses, etc...

Then what's the point of even doing it? A solution that everyone will disable, assuming it even works as intended? This is a an example of marketing-driven bullet-point-itis at its worst.

I had one miserable experience with Kinect at a friends house, that involved a bunch of embarrassed kids standing around while a mom frantically tried to explain to little Johnny that "no, you're doing it wrong, you have to stand HERE not THERE and wave your hands like THIS not THAT." Even with some notional improvements to the next gen hardware, I think it's folly to make this technology a key part of their strategy. It just doesn't work well enough.

I never cease to be amazed how cool new technology can be criticized so quickly. I would love my movie to auto-pause when I run to the kitchen real quick to make some kettle corn that I'm suddenly craving. I'm also interested in whether this overlay will be any benefit to me as an OTA user with no cable.

It's a profoundly stupid idea perpetrated by numbskulls who have the square root of bugger-all concept of human ergonomics. When was the last time you used your gaze to control something? Unless you are quadriplegic? Taking functions that have been designed for severely disabled patients and trying to apply them to the general population is atrocious and distasteful. And stupid. Samsung, Google and now Microsoft? Bloody hell, it's enough to bring on a kill the geeks pogrom, and I consider myself a geek. Bad stuff, bad stuff...

Then what's the point of even doing it? A solution that everyone will disable, assuming it even works as intended? This is a an example of marketing-driven bullet-point-itis at its worst.

I had one miserable experience with Kinect at a friends house, that involved a bunch of embarrassed kids standing around while a mom frantically tried to explain to little Johnny that "no, you're doing it wrong, you have to stand HERE not THERE and wave your hands like THIS not THAT." Even with some notional improvements to the next gen hardware, I think it's folly to make this technology a key part of their strategy. It just doesn't work well enough.

The millions of Kinects that sold based on word of mouth and the fact that the next Kinect will be a lot better (higher resolution, quicker response, etc.) seem to hurt your analogy.

I assume a lot of this just depends on a cec connection, which is cool tech, but still not there. Implementations on my Toshiba, LG, and Panasonic TV's are completely different with my various PS3's and receivers, and I'd expect that Xbox users are going to have varying degrees of success with their other components.

This HAS to be some kind of red hearing, because I can't imagine anyone with the power to actually OK this kind of project would not stop and think "people might not like this and avoid our product like the plague." Yeah, and you thought Wil Smith was being paranoid for not wanting to talk when the NS-5 was sitting in the other room. Just call the new box Microsoft Hal and be done with it.

No, really, it creeps me the fuck out that our culture isn't just headed down this kind of path, but that people will rush to buy it in time for Christmas.

I never cease to be amazed how cool new technology can be criticized so quickly. I would love my movie to auto-pause when I run to the kitchen real quick to make some kettle corn that I'm suddenly craving. I'm also interested in whether this overlay will be any benefit to me as an OTA user with no cable.

And would you like it to also auto-pause when glance at the clock in the corner? Or pull out your tablet to check an email during a boring part of a movie? Or, repeatedly, for no reason, just because the lighting is wrong? I criticize not because it's cool and new, but because it simply isn't useful, and it's not useful because it can't discern intent.

There are any of dozens of reasons why I might avert my gaze from the screen. In some of those cases, I might want it to stop. In others, I might not. Even better, take an example where I do want it to pause, then put me in the same situation two days later, and I might be in a different mood and want it to keep playing.

This HAS to be some kind of red hearing, because I can't imagine anyone with the power to actually OK this kind of project would not stop and think "people might not like this and avoid our product like the plague." Yeah, and you thought Wil Smith was being paranoid for not wanting to talk when the NS-5 was sitting in the other room. Just call the new box Microsoft Hal and be done with it.

No, really, it creeps me the fuck out that our culture isn't just headed down this kind of path, but that people will rush to buy it in time for Christmas.

Says the person who most likely carries a smartphone that does almost everything Kinect can do plus provide the GPS coordinates.

Cool, now I can pay Comcast monthly for the cable signal and cable box, then pay more for a new Xbox, and pay for an Xbox Live subscription, just so I can watch the same content with even MORE UI crap on the screen. There are no downsides!

Then what's the point of even doing it? A solution that everyone will disable, assuming it even works as intended? This is a an example of marketing-driven bullet-point-itis at its worst.

I had one miserable experience with Kinect at a friends house, that involved a bunch of embarrassed kids standing around while a mom frantically tried to explain to little Johnny that "no, you're doing it wrong, you have to stand HERE not THERE and wave your hands like THIS not THAT." Even with some notional improvements to the next gen hardware, I think it's folly to make this technology a key part of their strategy. It just doesn't work well enough.

The millions of Kinects that sold based on word of mouth and the fact that the next Kinect will be a lot better (higher resolution, quicker response, etc.) seem to hurt your analogy.

I didn't make an analogy; did you mean anecdote?

1) Just because a lot of people bought something doesn't mean it's good.2) How much "better" the next one will be remains to be seen, and I will keep an open mind. I'm simply stating that based on my experience, I don't see it happening. You're free to disagree.

This HAS to be some kind of red hearing, because I can't imagine anyone with the power to actually OK this kind of project would not stop and think "people might not like this and avoid our product like the plague." Yeah, and you thought Wil Smith was being paranoid for not wanting to talk when the NS-5 was sitting in the other room. Just call the new box Microsoft Hal and be done with it.

No, really, it creeps me the fuck out that our culture isn't just headed down this kind of path, but that people will rush to buy it in time for Christmas.

Says the person who most likely carries a smartphone that does almost everything Kinect can do plus provide the GPS coordinates.

Assuming you leave GPS enabled, if you don't, they'll just get a general area based on the cell tower in use. I hate this stuff, but was already firmly in the "avoid Xbox Durango like the plague" camp.

And would you like it to also auto-pause when glance at the clock in the corner? Or pull out your tablet to check an email during a boring part of a movie? Or, repeatedly, for no reason, just because the lighting is wrong? I criticize not because it's cool and new, but because it simply isn't useful, and it's not useful because it can't discern intent.

There are any of dozens of reasons why I might avert my gaze from the screen. In some of those cases, I might want it to stop. In others, I might not. Even better, take an example where I do want it to pause, then put me in the same situation two days later, and I might be in a different mood and want it to keep playing.

You don't have any imagination. You could probably change the sensitivity, disable it, only apply for movies, apply for all streaming video, etc. etc. Heaven forbid they implement a feature that you can't see yourself using. My smartphone has all sorts of nifty features, many of which I don't use. It's nice to have the option though. I kinda' like my screen not shutting off when I'm in the middle or reading an article so it's cool that it can see that I'm watching the screen, for example.

I know that if they don't allow you to diskinnect the Kinnect, I won't be getting it. These sorts of things just sound stupid, IMO. I don't always sit close to my TV to watch, and sometimes I listen to streaming shows while I'm in the kitchen doing dishes or cleaning around the house. If I want to pause, I'll pause, if I want to have a room full of people, I'll have a room full of people. Funny thing is, other than games, I have a bluray player that does everything I do on my Xbox, so chances are, if these things are true with the kinnect stuff, I'll probably stick with the 360 and forgo new games, and just watch movies and streaming through the devices that can't see into my living room.

Cool, now I can pay Comcast monthly for the cable signal and cable box, then pay more for a new Xbox, and pay for an Xbox Live subscription, just so I can watch the same content with even MORE UI crap on the screen. There are no downsides!

I never cease to be amazed how cool new technology can be criticized so quickly. I would love my movie to auto-pause when I run to the kitchen real quick to make some kettle corn that I'm suddenly craving. I'm also interested in whether this overlay will be any benefit to me as an OTA user with no cable.

Well I'm sure you will feel all warm and fuzzy when you come back from that break only to see an add for a competing brand of popcorn on your screen, or a message from the surgeon general about the harm microwaved popcorn vapor can cause, or that your insurance rates just ticked-up a few bucks because of the salt and butter content.

It's not about "cool tech" it's that this thing reports back to it's overlords. The Kinect will have to carry a disclaimer that reads: "Anything you do in the presence of this product is deemed to have no expectation of privacy and can be used for marketing or legal reasons from this moment on."

I could understand all of the criticisms if these extra features some how hurt the gaming experiences but despite the fact that consoles keep getting lots of extra non-gaming stuff we're living in a time where amazing games are coming out of our ears. My backlog of games is so long that there is no way I will ever catch up without skipping a bunch of awesome games. Granted, this is made worse by Steam sales but by point stands.

Kyle Orland / Kyle is the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica, specializing in video game hardware and software. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He is based in Pittsburgh, PA.